Zambales - a Genuine View of the Philippines

Zambales is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines. This province has been blessed in great abundance by nature.

An Introduction to Zambales

If you want to experience an authentic feel of the country, you have to visit Zambales. You really don’t have to go far from Manila just to have a taste of what the country has in store for you. The province is located in the western sections of Central Luzon. It is near the provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga and Pangasinan. The area is largely mountainous with a few lowlands. The northern part of Zambales is largely swampy.

The province is composed of 13 towns and one major city. These towns include Botolan, Cabangan, Candelaria, Castillejo, Iba, Masinloc, Palaguig, San Antonio, San Felipe, San Marcelino, San Narciso, Santa Cruz and Subic. Although Subic is the most popular town, the capital, however, is Iba. This is the birthplace of the late President Magsaysay.

Zambales has more than 560,000 residents. The predominant dialect is Ilocano, Zambal and Tagalog. However, English is also widely used so you will not have difficulty communicating with the locals when you visit.

Ideally, you should visit Zambales during the months of November through April. It is during these months that the province’s climate is fairly dry. You will be able to enjoy the place more if you are at liberty to explore.

Zambales Tourist Spots or Attractions

There are many interesting tourist spots that you can visit in Zambales. You can start with the Snake and Capones islands. These islands are perfect if you want to do some snorkeling or diving. Of course, if you really want to have a great view of the aquatic life, you should opt for Silanguin Bay where a fish sanctuary can be found. The best dive spots, however, can be found around the San Salvador Island.